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Directions to LMJS Training Runs

Disclaimer: Here are driving directions to our Saturday training runs. These have been collected from a number of sources, including park websites, Mapquest and fellow runners. Please keep in mind that we are sadly unable to verify the accuracy of each of these personally, so please consult a map if you are uncertain of the location.

Lake Chabot Marina

Cars may park for free on Lake Chabot Rd. outside the park entrance, or in the marina parking lot for a fee. Bathrooms and drinking fountains near the boat marina and at various campgrounds.

From Oakland/Berkeley/Marin/Bay Bridge, take 580 East towards Hayward. Exit at Fairmont Ave/150th St. Head East (left) on Fairmont Ave. Go up the hill and down the other side. Near the bottom of the hill, Fairmont Ave. becomes Lake Chabot Road (do not take left turn). The entrance to Lake Chabot Marina will be almost immediately on the left.

From I-580 in San Leandro, exit at Fairmont Drive and go east (uphill). (Note that Fairmont Drive becomes Lake Chabot Road.) The Marina entrance will be to the left at the bottom of the hill (parking fee).

From I-580 westbound in Castro Valley, take the Strobridge Ave. exit. Turn right on Strobridge, right on Castro Valley Blvd., and left on Lake Chabot Road. The Marina is about two miles ahead on the right.

From I-580 eastbound in Castro Valley, take the Redwood Road exit and turn left onto Redwood Road, left at Castro Valley Blvd., right at Lake Chabot Road, and follow the directions above.

Iron Horse Trail from Rudgear Rd. Staging Area

Go through the Caldecott tunnel, taking 24 East to 680 South. Exit at the 1st exit, which says Main St but it also says on a small sign(easily missed) Rudgear Rd. Exit here and go straight(South). Go about three blocks parallel to the 680 freeway. You will be on Rudgear, but I have never seen a sign. At the intersection of Rudgear and Danville, you will see a small parking lot towards the right at the trail intersection.If the staging area parking lot is full, there is a "Park n Drive" lot under the freeway a block away on Rudgear Road with more parking available if needed. Trail maps: Map-1, Map-2.

Moraga Commons Trailhead for the Lafayette Moraga Trail

To reach the Moraga Commons Trailhead: From Oakland/Berkeley, take Highway 24 East towards Walnut Creek. Take the exit for Orinda/Moraga. Take the ramp toward Moraga / Rheem / St Mary's College. Turn Right onto Camino Pablo. Camino Pablo becomes Moraga Way. Turn Left onto Moraga Rd, then a quick right onto St. Mary's Rd and a quick left into the parking lot for the Moraga Commons. The Moraga Commons is on the corner of St. Marys Rd & Moraga Rd. There is a good size parking lot where you can park and bathrooms and a drinking fountain are at the trailhead. Trail map.

Lafayette Moraga Trail-Olympic Blvd. Staging Area

Lovely paved trail with some tree covering. Lots of free parking here. No bathrooms or water at the start, but there are several water stops along the first 3 miles of the course and others scattered further out if needed. From Oakland/Berkeley, take 24 East towards Walnut Creek. Exit at Pleasant Hill Road, taking the Pleasant Hill Road South ramp. Turn right onto Pleasant Hill Road. Follow it for about half a mile to Olympic Blvd. Turn right onto Olympic, and take the first immediate right into the Olympic staging area parking lot. Trail map

Alameda Creek Trail - Fremont Area

We'll be starting at the Beard Staging Area in Fremont. It has water, bathrooms and free parking. This flat trail follows Alameda Creek, is paved and marked every half mile, and is 12 miles long total. It very flat if you head East! Heading South on I-880, exit on Alvarado Blvd (NOT Alvarado Niles Road) and drive about half a block south east, almost immediately taking a left and heading North onto Beard. Drive approximately seven blocks to the Beard Staging Area. From San Jose, take I-880 N toward Fremont. Exit at Alvarado Blvd/Fremont Blvd, and turn right onto Fremont Blvd. Make a U-turn at the next left-turn lane. Turn right at Beard Rd. Alameda Creek Regional Trail/Beard Staging Area is a small park at the end of Beard Rd. Trail maps: Map-1, Map-2.

Ballena Bay Cafe Run in Alameda

Getting to the parking lot from Webster street: Go straight until end of Webster, maybe about half a mile, it's an intersection of Webster and Central Ave, and take a right. Continue until the first traffic lights, where you might see a wooden sign about Ballena Bay Marina and restaurant Pien 29 and take a left. Go across a small bridge, stop at the stop sign (I've seen tons of people getting a ticket there) and continue straight until you see a parking lot on your left. That's a parking lot for the Ballena Bay Marina, office buildings, and restaurant. Getting to Webster street, please follow the instructions below:

From San Francisco: Cross the Bay Bridge towards Oakland and follow the signs for 880 South/San Jose/Alameda. Take the Broadway/Alameda exit and turn right at the bottom of the ramp onto 5th Street. Stay in the right lane. Continue on 5th Street to Broadway. At the Broadway intersection, veer to your left; the Webster Street Tube (tunnel) to Alameda is under the freeway. After emerging from the tube, continue on Webster Street.

From Sacramento and 80 Westbound: Take 880 south and take the Broadway/Alameda exit. At the end of the ramp turn right onto 5th Street. Stay in the right lane. Continue on 5th Street to Broadway. At the Broadway intersection, veer to your left; the Webster Street Tube (tunnel) to Alameda is under the freeway. After emerging from the tube, continue on Webster Street.

From Walnut Creek and 24 Westbound: Take Highway 24 to 980 to downtown Oakland. Take the 11th/12th Street exit onto Brush Street. Proceed to 7th Street and turn left onto 7th Street. Turn right on Webster Street which will take you into the Webster Tube (tunnel) to Alameda. After emerging from the tube, continue on Webster Street.

From San Jose and 880 Northbound: Proceed toward downtown Oakland and take the Broadway exit. At the end of the ramp, follow the signs to Alameda, turning right on Broadway and then immediately turning right on 7th Street. Go two blocks to Webster and turn right again, entering the Webster Tube (tunnel) to Alameda. (Alternate: Turn left on Broadway and left again to enter Tube under freeway overpass.) After emerging from the tube, continue on Webster Street.

Tilden Park - Little Farm Trail

From North Berkeley/El Cerrito, go east on Marin Avenue to the Arlington Circle, then continue steeply uphill on Marin to the stop sign at Spruce. Turn left and go a mile to the intersection with Grizzly Peak Blvd. From Spruce/Grizzly Peak, head 20 feet onto Wildcat Canyon Road and go left about a quarter of a mile down a steep hill on Canon Drive. Turn left at the stop sign at the bottom of the hill into the parking lot for the Little Farm.

From South Berkeley/Oakland, go to downtown Berkeley and head north on Shattuck. Turn right at the light at Cedar, about a mile from University, and left at the stop sign onto Spruce. Go two miles up the hill to Grizzly Peak Blvd. From Spruce/Grizzly Peak, head 20 feet onto Wildcat Canyon Road and go left about a quarter of a mile down a steep hill on Canon Drive. Turn left at the stop sign at the bottom of the hill into the parking lot for the Little Farm.

From Interstate 80 in Berkeley, take the University Ave. exit and go east. After 2 miles, turn left on Oxford St. Continue .7 miles and turn right on Rose St. Turn left on Spruce St. one block later. Follow Spruce to Canon Dr., just past the Grizzly Peak Blvd intersection. After .3 miles, turn left on Central Park Dr. which takes you to the parking lot.

From Contra Costa, exit Hwy 24 at Fish Ranch Road, go up the hill, and turn right at the stop sign onto Grizzly Peak Blvd. Go about 5 miles to the intersection with Spruce. From Spruce/Grizzly Peak, head 20 feet onto Wildcat Canyon Road and go left about a quarter of a mile down a steep hill on Canon Drive. Turn left at the stop sign at the bottom of the hill into the parking lot for the Little Farm.

From the South Bay, take I-880 N toward Oakland. Take I-980 E toward CA-24 / Walnut Creek. Take CA-24 E toward Berkeley / Walnut Creek. Take the Martin Luther King Jr Way exit toward 51ST Street. Merge onto Martin Luther King Jr Way via the ramp on the Left. Martin Luther King Jr Way becomes Adeline St. Adeline St becomes Shattuck Ave. Turn Right onto University Ave. Turn Left onto Oxford St. Turn Right onto Rose St. Turn Left onto Spruce St. Turn Slight Right to stay on Spruce St. Spruce St becomes Wildcat Canyon Rd. Turn Left onto Canon Dr.

Tilden Park - Inspiration Pt. Run

Be sure to bring water, sunscreen and layers, if wanted. There are bathrooms at the start but no water either at the start or along the course.

From North Berkeley/El Cerrito, go east on Marin Avenue to the Arlington Circle, then continue steeply uphill on Marin to the stop sign at Spruce. Turn left and go a mile to the intersection with Grizzly Peak Blvd. From Spruce/Grizzly Peak, head onto Wildcat Canyon Road. Follow Wildcat Canyon Road around to Inspiration Point parking lot which will be on your left.

From South Berkeley/Oakland, go to downtown Berkeley and head north on Shattuck. Turn right at the light at Cedar, about a mile from University, and left at the stop sign onto Spruce. Go two miles up the hill to Grizzly Peak Blvd. From Spruce/Grizzly Peak, head onto Wildcat Canyon Road. Follow Wildcat Canyon Road around to Inspiration Point parking lot which will be on your left.

Or, Take the Orinda exit from highway 24. Proceed north towards Orinda Village for about two miles on Camino Pablo. Turn left at the traffic light for Wildcat Canyon Road. Continue about two miles to the Inspiration Point parking lot on the right side of the road.

A link to a map--you may want to print it for help in directions.

Bay Farm Island - Harbor Bay Ferry Terminal

Exit Interstate 80 at Hegenberger Road in Oakland: Southbound, it's Hegenberger Road West-- the first right from the off ramp; Northbound, the exit is onto Edes Avenue, then left onto Hegenberger Rd. Follow all the signs for Metropolitan Oakland International Airport. Just after the Hilton Hotel on Hegenberger, take a right on Doolittle Drive. Follow Doolittle for a few miles then take a left on an imposing boulevard called Harbor Bay Parkway and drive another few miles. The road seems to peter out, but have faith and motor on following the sign "Ferry" and later "Harbor Bay Maritime." Eventually you will arrive at a large parking lot. This is it. Parking is free, and the ferry doesnt run on the weekends. The Harbor Bay Ferry Terminal is located at 2 MeCartney Drive on Bay Farm Island Area Map -once here, you can zoom in on Bay Farm Island.

Bear Creek Trail in Orinda

Trailhead: EBMUD Bear Creek Staging Area There are port-a potties at the start, with a bathroom at the Overlook Staging area turn-around, but no water. Be sure to bring your water bottles filled with your favorite sports drink or water. Take Highway 24 from either direction to the Orinda exit. Go north 2 miles towards Orinda Village on Camino Pablo Road. Turn right on Bear Creek Road. Go 4.2 miles and park in the Bear Creek Staging Area on the left just past the Upper Happy Valley Road intersection (Note: park in the EBMUD staging area and not the Bear Creek Staging Area on the right side of the road at Briones Regional Park). Map.

Bay Trail-Point Isabel Regional Park

This paved run passes the dog run and crosses beautiful Hoffman Marsh with great views of the bay and San Francisco. The trail then runs along the bay by some homes and goes around to the Richmond Marina. Plenty of parking and bathrooms, with water available at the dog run. Very, very scenic! The directions are: From Hwy 80/580 heading north in Berkeley, take the right lane and follow 580 toward Richmond/San Rafael. After one mile, exit at Central Ave. and go left. Keep going straight ahead at the stop sign and take the forced right turn past Costco. Park at the beginning of the dog run area just past the Costco gas station. Trail Map

Map of Marina Bay Park

Brickyard Run in Martinez

Meet at Rankin Park located at the end of Buckley Street in Martinez. Lots of free parking for a beautiful run along the Carquinez Strait. Water and bathrooms available at or near the start. To get to Rankin Park: From Berkeley, take 80 East to 4 East. Take the Alhambra Ave. exit towards Martinez. Turn left onto Alhambra and drive for a couple of miles. Turn left onto Buckley. Follow Buckley until it ends at the park. From Oakland, take 24 East towards Walnut Creek. Take 680 North for about 10 miles to the Marina Vista/Martinez exit (the last one before the tolls). Turn left onto Waterfront Road, which becomes Marina Vista. Follow it for about a mile and a half, then turn right onto Alhambra, then left onto Buckley. Follow Buckley into the park. From the South Bay, Take 680 North for about 10 miles to the Marina Vista/Martinez exit (the last one before the tolls). Turn left onto Waterfront Road, which becomes Marina Vista. Follow it for about a mile and a half, then turn right onto Alhambra, then left onto Buckley. Follow Buckley into the park. Trail Map

Contra Costa Canal Trail - Walden Park in Walnut Creek

Walden Park, 2698 Oak Road, Walnut Creek Meet at Walden Park in Walden Creek for this black-topped trail through the beautiful Walnut Creek area. Bathrooms and water available at Walden Park. Free parking available at the park and along the street. To Reach Walden Park: From Oakland/Berkeley, take 24 East towards Walnut Creek. Take 680 North. After about 2 miles, take the exit for Treat Blvd. towards Geary Road. Go right at the fork to go on Treat Blvd. Stay to the right and turn right at the first stoplight on Oak Road after about .1 mile . After .3 miles, you ll see Walden Park, a small park on your left. From the South Bay, take 680 North. Take the Treat Blvd. exit towards Geary Road. Follow the directions above. Trail route: Contra Costa Canal Regional Trail to Ygnacio Canal Trail to Briones-to-Mt. Diablo Regional Trail Trail maps: Trail Map

Ferry Point Loop Trail Miller Knox Regional Shoreline in Pt. Richmond

Meet in Miller/Knox Regional Park, located on Dornan Drive, south through the automobile tunnel from Garrard Boulevard in Point Richmond. Bathrooms and water are available in the park. Driving directions: From I-580 in Richmond, exit at Canal Boulevard. Turn left at the light onto Canal. Turn right at the light onto W. Cutting Bl., then left at the stop sign onto Garrard Bl. Proceed through the auto tunnel; Garrard becomes Dornan Drive on the south side of the auto tunnel. The park entrance will be on the right less than 1/2 mile south of the tunnel. Miller-Knox Regional Shoreline map.

Lafayette Reservoir Run

Meet at Chow's, 53 Lafayette Circle in Lafayette

Run the tree-lined streets of Lafayette, then breakfast at Chow's, with choices like hash, Irish oatmeal or blueberry pancakes! Just 15 or so minutes from Oakland. Take Highway 24 E toward Walnut Creek. Take the Oak Hill Road exit toward Central Lafayette. Turn right onto Oak Hill road. Stay straight to go onto the Lafayette Circle. Park in the lot and look for a group of runners.

Run from Sports Basement Store in Walnut Creek

Meet at Sports Basement, 1881 Ygnacio Valley Road in Walnut Creek

Run a black-topped trail through the beautiful Walnut Creek area. This mostly off-road trail takes us along the Contra Costa Canal Trail through tree-covered neighborhoods. Bathrooms and water available at start inside Sports Basement. After our run, Sports Basement will provide food and drink and a discount on all their Merchandise! From Oakland/Berkeley, take 24 East towards Walnut Creek. Take 680 North. Shortly after this, take the exit for Ygnacio Valley Road. Turn right onto Ygnacio Valley Road. Drive about 2 miles to Sports Basement, which will be on your right in a shopping center and across from Heather Farms Park.

Skyline Gate in Redwood Regional Park

Just a few miles from downtown Oakland, you can run the packed dirt beautiful trails of Redwood Park! Free parking with bathrooms and water available at start. From CA 24 in Alameda County, exit CA 13 south (exit 5). After about 3 miles, exit at Lincoln/Joaquin Miller (exit 2). At the foot of the exit ramp, make a left, then take the next left, and then go straight onto Joaquin Miller. Drive uphill about 1 mile, then turn left onto Skyline (there's a brown parks sign before the turn and a traffic light). Drive about 3 miles (past the Chabot Space Center), then turn right into the parking lot.